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Sequestration crisis at the FBI

As individuals, we regularly examine our priorities to make
decisions as we manage our checkbooks. As citizens, we expect our elected leaders
to do the same with our government checkbook. The effects of sequestration are
dramatic and far reaching across all sectors of government. Some are
inconsequential, some are cause for concern, and a few are downright dangerous.

Courtesy of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI

The drastic budgetary cuts that face the FBI pose a clear and present danger to
national security and to the citizens of the United States. If these cuts remain
in place it will not be a question of if, but rather when disaster will occur.

Since September 11, 2001, the FBI has been at the forefront of
protecting us from terrorist attacks including the interdiction of plots to bomb
the New York Federal Reserve Bank; a Portland, Oregon public park; a Cleveland,
Ohio bridge; a Bronx, NY, Jewish Community Center; the U.S. Capitol building; the
Chicago Sears Tower; the Ft. Dix, NJ, military base; jet fuel tanks at New York's
Kennedy airport and scores of other critical targets. At the same time, the FBI
has continued to address its other responsibilities including detecting espionage;
investigating public corruption; protecting us from cyber attacks; addressing
civil-rights violations; and investigating major criminal matters.

FBI Director James Comey recently assumed office with the promise
of a continued, vigorous commitment to the bureau's responsibilities. But how can
he fulfill that promise with one hand tied behind his back?

Sequestration has cut $700 million from the FBI budget necessitating the furlough
of 36,000 employees; reducing the FBI's workforce by 3,500; imposing a hiring
freeze until at least 2015; cancelling inter-agency, law enforcement training;
eliminating on-board employee training; and imposing countless other restrictions
which impede and degrade the FBI's ability to address its responsibilities.

Although the general public may not yet fully appreciate the
danger it faces from FBI budget cuts, law enforcement professionals do. Police
leaders attending a recent International Chiefs of Police Conference emphatically
deplored the budgetary problems confronting the FBI as, "A body blow to law
enforcement."

Do something for your country and those you care about. Now is
the time to tell your elected representatives to reexamine their priorities and
restore funding to the FBI. Tell them we are not content to wait until the next
disaster occurs.

Ellen Glasser is president of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.
She served for 24 years as a special agent and supervisory special agent with the
FBI.